G'day!

I wasn't going to do an update but I was contacted by many asking I still do them so,

Welcome to my Bi Monthly Update #9 covering July and August 2021.

Sit back and relax with a you know what and read away. Or don't.

July started very cold and wet. Well, it was winter I spose. Everything out side felt damp and the ground was water logged. Even the underside of my awning had condensation and was dripping on the drip sitting under it having a cuppa.

Most of the country was affected by Covid and many thousands of people were in lockdown yet again. As I do this entry on the 1^st July, VIC, Tassie and ACT are the only states or Territory not in some sort of lockdown. This Covid Virus is being a real pain in the, well, bum. Not very much longer VIC slammed shut the NSW/VIC border yet again. Permits were needed to enter VIC but the border bubble was OK, so people within the bubble were able to go anywhere within the bubble but needed to have proof of residents with them if checked. Sadly, that all changed later and the bubble was sort off no more.

I had a visitor on the first day of the month too, a GN Friend, Colin (CTJ55) called in to say hi and drop something off for me. It was good to see him again and many thanks Colin. Colin lives in N E VIC so we catch up when we can.

At last! After two tries and Melbourne got locked down both times and I missed out, I finally got to visit my daughter and two grandsons south of Melbourne during the first week of July. Dad was at work. After a drive through Melbourne traffic, never fun, I arrived. A lovely covid style visit with all of us aware of social distance rules and so on but a very enjoyable visit the same. Most of the time was actually spent at the local BMX track so the boys could show me their latest tricks and skills. Future Olympians in the making for sure. I made it a shopping trip as well and stayed overnight on my own elsewhere, then got some items of clothing I couldn't get around base camp. I don't spend a lot on cloths as usually don't need a lot but needed warmer gear. Covid rules adhered to of course. Speaking of Olympic Champions, well I mentioned it above, My Granddaughter in Townsville is a great swimmer and beating her personal bests a lot so if she keeps all that up and works on that 800mt Freestyle we will see her maybe not the next Olympics but the next. If she works hard now, she just might scrape in Paris. Mmmm, sweet 16 in Paris, me thinks Poppy better go with her.

Shopping all done early and very quickly avoiding crowds, you thought I had finished that subject, didn't you? Sorry. I decided to avoid Melbourne traffic completely and headed back to N E VIC the back way up through them there hills. A very enjoyable drive it was too. Seeing areas, I hadn't been in for many moons, sunshine also, safely arriving back at base camp mid-afternoon. A good enjoyable two-day trip and I tell you that for free.  The weather was very kind to me as well, cold but kind.

It had to happen!

June 16th arrived and all of VIC went into yet another lockdown and like most people, I am over all this. So, the nice warm jacket I got for going to the local baseball only got used once. I will say no more. Well, maybe.

Two weeks later and out of lockdown I headed to Shepparton to get a few things but due to we were not allowed to have visitors at home etc I didn't visit anyone. It was so busy I got what I wanted and high tailed it outa there and back to base camp quicker than quick.

The month moved on and on the last day of the month I got a knock on the front of the aluminium tent, it was a couple of grey nomads I know, Colin and Glenda (Roughnut09). They came across from their home near the Murray River and called in to say hi. We had a good catch up too in the camp kitchen area of the park I am in to keep self-distance intact. Thank you so much Colin and Glenda for calling in.

Weather, yep had that in July as well, heaps of it. Rain most days at some stage, some heavy some light with varied wind speeds and directions but nothing serious but very little sun. The ground gets very water logged quickly (as mentioned above) but due to the slight slope, it drains away quickly as well so all good really.

You might remember last year I covered my water hose with pool noodles to try and stop water freezing in the hose on -c nights well, I did it again and so far, so good on many -c mornings. Brrrrrr, I'm cold just writing that.

Before I knew it July had finished and August making an appearance.

Knock me down with a feather! Bugga! Not again! Yep, only a few days into August and VIC got locked up for the 6^th time bringing all capital cities in the Eastern States locked up with restrictions of movement etc. Now that is movements of the human body, not movements of the human body. Mmm, I'm confused! Just two days into the lockdown and talk was it will be extended from the 7-day lockdown in VIC. Rural VIC were furious as no cases there.

My daughter south of Melbourne had her birthday, a big one, during lockdown #6 and a family gathering was booked at Healesville but sadly due to the lockdown it got cancelled a week before taking place. My two grandsons south of Melbourne also had their birthdays during lockdown so that's now two years running.  I might touch on Covid later but for now, enough already.

Moving right along.

I know with the news on the Televish etc, weather is done at the end but hey, this is me and I change things up a bit here and there so he we go, Weather for August was still cold with temps ranging from -3c to 8c over night and 9c to 18c during the days with light to heavy rain on most days as was the varied wind speeds and directions however, sun came out here and there indicating Spring might not be all that far away so I can live with that. The middle of the month saw gale force winds hit and damage was caused. I was getting text messages from Vic Emergency about trees down within my 50km radius watch zone. I was fine but people near me lost a hatch on top of their van roof and a van up the back had his not anchored down awning take off but luckily saved at the eleventh hour. The owner of that van didn't have it anchored down in any way for some time and a couple of times came home from work (my heart just picked up a couple of beats saying that W word) and found it not as he left it. Even after the gale wind nearly wiped it out, he didn't bother. Maybe he wants a new one through insurance? The gale winds lasted for a few hours into the night but next morning arrived and calm was the order of the day.

The month continued with being in lockdown and out then in again and as you read this, we here in all VIC are still in lockdown, it keeps getting extended. Things are not looking good in VIC or NSW sadly. OH! Remember I said I went to Shepparton last month, well, thank goodness it wasn't this month as they are having major problems with Covid cases.

Due to lockdowns and very limited movements allowed and no visiting not much was done during August, sadly. I got to go out one day and have included a pic below of the day. Still, September is just around the corner and that brings Spring with it so some sunshine might cheer us all up a little. Hopefully things will improve so we can all start moving around again sooner than soon. Its sad to think that the highlight of my week is a trip to the supermarket. Its very sad to think that my hands see more alcohol than my mouth.

So, there you have the life of a grey nomad that lives in a caravan full time during a Pandemic and in a lockdown state. Not very exciting at all sorry. So, until next time, take it easy everyone and keep safe out there.

Some pics I have selected included below.